Pats Pulpit
New England had 10 accepted penalties on Sunday.
In a tie game, the New England Patriots’ second offensive possession on Sunday seemed promising. Antonio Gibson picked up a pair of 14-yard gains while Drake Maye made things happen with both his arm and legs.
All of that overcame a pair of penalties by offensive tackles Vederian Lowe and Trey Jacobs earlier in the drive. But then, a third penalty — a hold on Jacobs — proved too costly as the drive stalled before Joey Slye’s field goal rang off the uprights.
“Penalties just hurt us. Hurt us the whole first half,” Maye said post game. “Just hurting ourselves. Felt like we had the chance to move the ball on these guys. They’re pretty good up front and a good defense that we faced, just nothing that they did. Penalties set us back and put us behind the eight ball. Can’t do that in this league.”
That drive set the stage for New England on Sunday, as penalties proved costly in the team’s 34-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In total, the Patriots were called for 13 penalties — 10 of which were accepted. Among the penalties, six came before the snap.
“Look, it starts with me,” head coach Jerod Mayo said. “It starts with me. We’ve had these hiccups of games where the penalties really affected us, and it did today.”
New England’s tackles were the main culprits throughout the day. Left tackle Vederian Lowe ended the day with four total penalties — including a holding call that negated a 19-yard screen to Rhamondre Stevenson.
On the right side, Jacobs had a pair of his own pre-snap penalties while also he struggled in pass protection against rookie Chop Robinson. The whole package led to him being pulled in the second half in favor of Sidy Sow.
“Yeah, he was having a tough game,” Mayo said of Jacobs. “Whether it’s penalties or blocking the edge, he was having a tough game. And we got to protect the quarterback as an offensive linemen. That’s what we do. We protect quarterbacks, and we got to open up holes for the backs.”
The Patriots know penalties are not part of the winning formula with their style of football. As they turn the page to their final game before the bye week, keeping the flags in the refs pocket will start with improved focus.
“These penalties are something you can control,” Maye explained. “When you see something improving, we’re making play and got the chance to do some things. But penalties, not necessarily an easy fix but focus — listening to the calls and to the cadence and little things like that.
“I don’t think it’s something where we’re getting beat and out-talented. We’re hurting ourselves and we got a chance these last games to put something good film on tape and find ways to get some wins.”
